We plan to spotlight an insect every week to bring better attention to the diversity of insects in central Illinois. We hope you enjoy. We will also be publishing these on our Facebook page. Note – if you try to view an insect of the week before the scheduled display date listed below, you will receive a 404 file not found message. Please be patient as we unveil these species to correspond with our posts on Facebook..
Insect of the week (August 5, 2024)
Our insect of the week for August 5 is not a beetle. Surprise! For the last 3 weeks, we have been discussing beetles. If you start observing animals in central Illinois, on average about 75% of those you observe will be beetles. Yes, they are that common and diverse. Another very diverse group, often overlooked unless they are bothering you, are...
Insect of the week (July 29, 2024)
Our insect of the week is Phengodes fusciceps. This beetle species is classified in the family Phengodidae (also known as glowworm beetles). Both females and larvae have bio-luminescent organs. Larvae and females are predators and typically feed on millipedes. Winged males are often attracted to lights and are thought not to feed. This species...
Insect of the week (July 22, 2024)
Continuing our theme of beetles for the second "insect of the week," I thought it appropriate to focus on the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex). This species was described by MacLeay in 1819. Although it looks most exotic, it is a species native to Illinois. This species is considered a "true" dung beetle as it feeds on feces during both the...
Insect of the week (July 15, 2024)
Thought it might be interesting to post notes about a selected Illinois insect every week. For our first insect, I thought the one in our logo would be appropriate. The ivory-marked borer (Eburia quadrigeminata was described by Thomas Say in 1826). [He originally placed this species in the genus Stenocorus.] It is a beetle classified in the...